Tree planting ritual symbolizes a secure Jewish future as Jewish Agency, Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemet LeYisrael and Israel's Ministries of Environmental Protection and Education help new arrivals transition to life in Israel.

Some 450 Ethiopian Immigrants are residing at Jewish Agency absorption centers as they transition to life in Israel. (Credit: Gili Shem Tov, Ministry of Environmental Protection.)

This is a holiday that represents both social justice and environmental justice. I am pleased to celebrate the holiday with members of the Ethiopian community who are setting down roots as an integral part of Israeli society.

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 14, 2014

Some 450 new Ethiopian immigrants, residing in Jewish Agency absorption centers as they begin life in Israel, planted trees today and held a ceremonial meal in honor of the holiday of Tu BiShevat, which begins tomorrow evening.

The event took place in northern Israel under the auspices of Keren Kayemet LeIsrael – the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and The Jewish Agency for Israel, along with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Education, and was made possible by a donation from KKL-JNF Chile.

Minister of Environmental Protection Amir Peretz, who participated in the event, said: "This is a holiday that represents both social justice and environmental justice. I am pleased to celebrate the holiday with members of the Ethiopian community who are setting down roots as an integral part of Israeli society."